Crossing Fingers

No job yet, but I could possibly have one by the middle of next week (I hope!). I had an interview for one job a week ago, and he said he would let me know by the middle of next week if they want to hire me. And I just got an in-person interview for another job, which is on Tuesday. I had a half-hour phone interview today, and passed to the final round of their recruitment process. Woohoo! They said if they decide they want me at the conclusion of my interview on Tuesday, that they will hire me on the spot. I have a few other job prospects, but it seems most employers are taking their time with the hiring process. Gaadjhfdhsjd! So close...maybe..

We got Damascus a crate today. Hopefully, we'll be able to start leaving him in the house by himself without him throwing a hissy fit. He loves his new house!

Yesterday, I went into downtown Portland on the bus and brought my bike. Arlo always used to go into NYC and zoom around on his road bike going in between two lanes of opposite traffic. I never thought I would ride my bike in a city, but it's really not so bad. Then again, this is a West Coast city where everyone is nice and loves trees. I guess that makes the atmosphere for biking a bit more tolerable.

If there's one thing I've learned about Portland in my week and a half of living here, it's that there is good food everywhere! I miss my reliable Dunkin Donuts, Quick Chek, WaWa, and Turkey Hill, but there's just nothing like these mom and pop shops. There aren't as many chain stores on the West Coast (at least that I've been able to identify). The community here is much more supportive of the unique, family owned joints. BUT WE STILL HAVE 7-ELEVEN! Mmmm there's nothing like a good high fructose corn syrup slurpee!

There are these cool little food shack towns sprinkled around the Portland metro that have absolutely fantastic food! I went to one called Potato Champion yesterday, and it was heaven! They sell Belgian-style fries (frites) and you get to chose from a variety of dipping sauces. I had horseradish ketchup with mine. YUM!

 

They also sell Poutine (look it up) and a few other delectables. I need to visit Belgium someday. Great frites, great beer, sounds like a good place to me! My next food target is the ever-famous Voodoo Doughnuts. Arlo and I tried to go there our second night here in Portland, but they were crazy busy. We asked some people in line, "Hey! Uhhh what's going on here???" Some girls replied, "Just doughnuts.....              and a chapel, too. If you need that." Silly little hipsters! I'm looking forward to my first taste of yummy pastry!

Something else that's a little different here is the push to be the first state to ban plastic bags. They have people walking around door-to-door asking for donations and signatures. Fred Meyer (our supermarket/superstore [no, I won't compare it to Wal-Mart]) only has recyclable brown paper bags for groceries. My biggest dilemma in all of this is: What am I supposed to pick up dog poop with? The big brown paper bag just doesn't do the job. And I'm not going to recycle dog shit anyway. So what am I to do with the poo?

My biggest concerns in life are when/where I'm getting my next paycheck, stretching the money we have left, and where I'm going to put all this doggie doodoo.

Ay Caramba!